Black Forest confectionery group unveils eco-friendly plans
US confectionery firm Black Forest has unveiled key plans to enhance its sustainability in celebration of the recent International Day of Forests, writes Neill Barston.
Among the first within the candy gummy and fruit snack category to make this purpose-led pledge, the business, which is part of the Ferrara company, has committed to using natural ingredients, moving to environmentally friendly packaging and delivering improvements to its production processes.
The manufacturer is also continuing a policy of protecting, and planting forests as part of its overall sustainability activities.
“At Black Forest, we believe that real good requires real action. It’s why we were founded in the first place – to capture the transformative power of nature and make snacks that are delicious, with carefully selected real ingredients,” said Kate Adams, Senior Brand Marketing Director of Black Forest at Ferrara.
“We looked to our consumers as we developed a set of goals that will deliver impact in all aspects of our business including real ingredients, real fruit juice, and partnerships that have a real impact on the conservation of forests.”
Black Forest’s 10-year commitment includes a move to fully sustainable packaging by 2025 that is recyclable, reusable, or compostable, while still maintaining the freshness and quality consumers have come to expect.
The company is also continuing its partnership with the National Forest Foundation, now in its third year, which provides ways for people to take action to help tree-planting efforts in the wake of devastating wildfires.
Through this meaningful partnership, the company started its journey to become a purpose-led brand and committed to plant 1.5 million trees across U.S. forests that have been impacted by wildfire by the end of 2022. Now, the brand has set a long-range goal to plant 10 million trees by 2030.
Black Forest launched its USDA certified organic gummy bears and fruit snacks in 2015, using colours and flavours from real sources.
Over the last year alone, the brand has experienced nearly 15 percent growth with the Conventional Gummy line growing 16.8 percent and the Fruit Snack Juicy Burst line growing 41.7 percent.
Looking ahead, by 2022, all products in the portfolio will use colours and flavours from real sources including turmeric, black carrot juice, black currant juice, carrot juice, purple sweet potato juice, cherry juice, and radish juice.
According to the 11th annual EcoFocus Worldwide US Trends Survey, Millennials are putting a higher priority on sustainability than any generation before them, and they will reward brands who offer food and beverages in packaging that is sustainable and good for you. As a brand that is committed to real action, Black Forest aims to resonate with a broader audience through its latest purpose commitment.
